I cannot speak English very well. The doctor asked me about preferences in my food and about how much exercise I do. They suggested some food, but we do not eat these English foods. (Participant 1, male, age 50)

There should be someone who sits down and talks to you. Somebody should explain in my language what I shouldn't do, but there is no one from our community there. So it is very difficult to understand how things should be. They do tell us to make changes in the diet, but they assume that we know all.(Participant 21, male, age 50)

They just say you have got diabetes, take these tablets that's it. I want to talk to my doctor, but does he have time? My doctor got me to buy one of those things that you stick on your finger and do the test yourself, … I am not sure I can do it, …[I] tell him the tablets are giving me headaches, so can I cut it. He is so busy you feel you can't talk to him. (Participant 8, male, age 43)

I wanted to take care of myself, and it would be good if I can make my own decisions. I go to my GP, but they may not know a lot about the disease and how to treat… I mean as the specialists know. They don't ever discuss or involve me in my care. A nurse came home to show me how to make an insulin injection, but they are in such a hurry and don’t speak my language making it hard to for me ask any questions. They say don't walk barefoot, but doesn't tell why. Ask me to control diet, does not tell what to take. Whatever they say, we don’t take them at home...they don't understand what it takes to poke the self over and over again and how terrifying it is to become a hypo. (Participant 5, female, age 42)